Self-contained dispensing can



Sept. 16-, 1941. L. J. STOVEL I SELF-CONTAINED DISPENSING CAN Filed July 31, 1939 INVYENTOR. IA URENCE J drove-z. ywa /4 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 16, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT ,OFFICE" SELF-CONTAINED DISPENSING CAN Laurence J. Stovel, Richmond, Calif.

Application July 31, 1939, Serial No. 287,462

3 Claims.

The invention, in general, relates to means for removing material from a container. More particularly, the invention relates to a non-refillable can containing in itself means for dispensing desired quantities of the contents thereof.

While the invention has been directed primarily to the dispensing of material having the consistency of paste, such as various types of soap including the so-called mechanics soap, embodiments of the invention can embrace means for dispensing granulated and powdered material effectively, as well. Accordingly, the illustrations and following description will be directed to both of the foregoin aspects of the invention.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a non-refillable, self-contained dispensing can affording ready removal of desired quantities of the contents thereof without waste and without deleteriously aifecting the contents remaining in the can at any time.

Another object of the present improvement is to provide a dispenser of the indicated nature which is dependable in operation and which can be used effectively without likelihood of injury to the user.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a self-contained dispensing can which is characterized by substantial sealing of the contents thereof at all times, and by its simplicity of dispensing elements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing can of the aforementioned character which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a self-contained dispensing can which can be used effectively either when suspended from a support or without suspension thereof in any way whatsoever.

The foregoing and other objects are attained in the preferred and modified embodiments of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing. It is to be understood that I am not to be limited to the precise embodiments shown, nor to the precise arrangement of parts, as the invention, as defined in the appended claims, can be embodied in a plurality and variety of forms.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of my self-contained dispensing can.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the present improvement.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the modification shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view'of a closure for the modified embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4.

In its preferred form, the self-contained dispensing can of my invention preferably comprises a cylindrical body, a flanged disc closing one end of said body and permanently fastened thereto, a second flanged disc movably attached to the other end of said body, a charge of material within said body and supported on said second disc, together with means on said second disc for severing a portion of said charge when said second disc is moved relative to said body, and means within said body for constraining movement of said charge when said second disc is moved.

I am familiar with nearly all of the dispensing containers in present use and 'none of these is what may be aptly or accurately termed a selfcontained dispenser since they all require extrinsic means for effecting the removal of the contents and also for advancing the charge to a severing element. The present invention contemplates no extrinsic element in that connection, but, rather, utilizes the weight of the contents to maintain the charge in position at all times for the severing action and the removal of desired quantities of the contents at will.

In accordance with the present improvements, I: provide a cylindrical hollow body I I which preferably is fabricated of a metal such as tin or aluminum but which can be made from a wood pulp or of cardboard, or from a phenolic c-ondensate, as desired. In Figure 1 of the drawing, I have illustrated an embodiment of the invention especially suitable for dispensing material having a paste consistency, such as a mechanics soap, and the body I I is filled with a charge I2 thereof. Preferably, one end of the body I I is tightly sealed with a disc closure I3 provided with a peripheral flange I I that is crimped around and interlocked with a flange I6 on the longitudinal extremity of the body I I. Since the packing of the can with material of paste consistency is usually under a vacuum, the closure I3 may be punched out to release the vacuum but otherwise the closure I3 forms a perfect seal at that end of the body. At the other end of the body II I provide a second disc closure'I'I which preferably is formed with a flange I 8-having a bead I9 thereon, the bead defining an interior track 20 into which is fitted gitudinal extremity of body ll.

a turned-over flange 2| formed on the other lon- The closure I1, bythis connection, isadapted to be'rotated rela-' tive to the bodyyet, nevertheless, is effectively fastened to the body against removal therefrom except with the use of a tool, Preferably, the bead I9 is knurled to facilitate turning the disc closure II when it is desired to remove desired quantities ofthe charge I2.

As illustrated particularly in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing, the closure I! is formed with an arcuately shaped slot 22 therein which extends from'the exact center of the disc closure to the periphery thereof and which is tapered, as shown.

The slot 22 conveniently is formed by'first cuttingthrough the material of theclosure to the aforesaid shape and then bending the material inwardly as well as slightly deforming the same to provide an arcuately shaped, inwardly extending severing element 23 which likewise is tapered as a result ofso forming the slot 22. Thus, there is affordeda severing-element which has a' relatively high portionadjacent to the center ofthe disc closure Hand a relatively low portion adjacent to the-,peripherypf the-disc. 'This shape ofisevering element 23 is highly advantageous for a more eifective slicing of-the charge i2. .For,

. atthe-center of the bottom of the charge I2, the

severingielement 23 will biteinto the charge for an appreciable distance and, as the closure l'i is 9 rotated, will slice from the entire area of the.bot

torrrof-the charge from the center to the circumference thereof rather than bore a hole into the charge at the center and leave a ridge or Wall ad jacent to the circumference'of the bottom of the ment 23 is alwaysembedded in the charge-I2. 1

In addition tothe foregoing elements, the selfcontained dispensing can of my invention includes a baffle plate or fin 24 which is fastenedlinteriorly of the bodyll between the end closures 13 and Hand which extends substantially ,the, entire length of the body terminating adjacent cylindrical body II is such as to provide an interlock longitudinally so that the lid or closure disc I! cannot be removed from the body I l unless a tool is used to force the same therefrom. In

that event, it is clear that the flange of the disc I! or the flange 2| of the body II is so distorted that the effectiveness of the dispenser is greatly impaired or entirely destroyed. In that sense, the dispensing can of my present improvement is non-refillable for once the joint between the closure l1 and the body II is impaired or destroyed the closure will not efiectively rotate relative to the body and its dispensing property is lost. As indicated above, the self-contained dispensing can of the present improvement may be effectively used Without suspending the same from a support of any character since it is only necessary to lift the can with one hand and ro-' tate the closure 41 with the other. However, the] dispenser can be suspended from any suitable [support and I have'illustrateda convenient form to the severing element 23. Preferably, the fin,-

orbaiiie plate 24- is formed to a width so that -it appreciably penetrates into the charge 12, as shown. The fin 24 effectively prevents movement of the charge in a direction other than longitudinally of the body or can. Hence, when the closure disc I! is turned to effect, movement of the severing element 23 through the charge to sever portions thereof and guide the severed portions out or the can through the slot 22, the rotation of i the disc I! is not imparted to the charge I2 by reason of 'the restraining action of the bafiie plate 24, and since the baffle plate extends nearly' the length of the can its restraining action is effective for the life of the'dispenser as the charge is diminished gradually by the severing of portions of the same when desired. It is'clear that an effective manner of manipulating the'disc H to dispensethe charge is to place the fingers around the knurled bead l9 with-the palm of the hand up to receive the: severed portion of charge as it drops through the slot 22.

It is to be understood, of course, that the engagementbetween'the closure disc I! and .the.

. closure memberxlii." To efiect: this result when r of. suspension inFigure lot the. drawing. Pref-' erably, I provide a; supporting. bracket Z'IJincI uding a leg 28. provided withsuitable holes 29 1p!" passingiscrews SI" to attach the bracket'toa- Wall 32 orlother support. The bracket 2T includes a leg 33 preferably disposed: at right angles? to'leg 28 and orrwhich is carried a down-turned" clip-3d for engaging the flange M of the closure 53 of the can. Leg 3% of the bracket is also provided with a downwardly extending spring clip 35-, preferably formed. on the bracket by striking out. a: portion of the material of which the leg33-is fabricated, as shown; the clip 36 being formed with a shoulder 37' which underlies the external flange Miof the closure 53 of the" A resilient spring or yieldable clip- 3-5 e'X tends from leg 28' of; the bracket to. engage thebody I i otthe can.' To mount the dispensing can" on the bracket, it.is"'only necessary to lit the fiangeof the closure 3 -'in'to1the clips .Mi, 36- and snap it into suspended position, the clips: grip ping thecan at diainetrieally opposite points or the flange formed on the closure? is. If desired, another leg 38 can. be provided on the bracket 21 below and parallel 'to* leg 33 and the outerend of leg 33 can be arcuatel'y shaped to fit the bodyportion i.-l* ofr-the can and. brace the same.

' since'jnxaterialipacked imcans. often is under a vacuum, it is generally desirable to puncture the can to-release the vacuum and" thus. facilitate removal of the: contents: This. islespeei'ally true in the ,ca's'e of'materialin paste form, such as mechanics soap. In the embodimentof the inventionfldesigned foradispensing soap of that character,- I :fi-ndw it desirable to'pluncture the" suspending the" can: from a'fixedisuport, such as leg 33 of the" bracket inthe 'path'of' the closure I3" as. the can'is:bein.gmounted. Thus, the clo-l' sure it will be punctured m2 fitting the canto thebracket; It is'clear that in suspending the'can from a support, such as. the'bracket 27?, the charge 12 is supported in the main by closure H j of the dispenser; and-the rotation of the d is penser relative to the; bodyv i I; 'eftects a dispns ing of the charge through slot 22 of theiclh sure IT.

sive, I'have' showrraamodrfi'ed? embodiment: ot my present improvement especially suit able for dispensing granulated or-powdered Ina-- teriaLflThe cylindrical-body portion l l l o'i this modificationawisf efiectively' 'f'seale'd 'by a closure which is permanently and immovably fastened thereto. At the opposite end of the body III, I fasten a cover I I7 so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the body portion III but which cannot be moved longitudinally therefrom without the use of some tool. Lid or closure II I is provided with a plurality of openings I22 by striking out portions of the lid to form a plurality of relatively small guides I23. Preferably, each guide I23, is formed with parallel sides and an arcuate end, as shown, the guides extending interiorly of the body a relatively short distance. No cutting edges are provided on the guides I23. It is to be understood that in the manufacture of the closure II'!, the same may be scored rather than out, in the manner above described, so that subsequently a user may punch out the guides I23 and form the openings I22. Upon relative rotational movement between closure Ill and the body Iii of the dispensing can, the powdered or granulated material will pass thorugh or be discharged from the openings I22. While no support is needed to suspend the dispensing can I I I, the same can be suspended from a bracket similar to the bracket depicted in Figure 1 of the drawing. It is, of course, to be understood that the material will not sift through openings I22 unless the closure In is being rotated. Moreover, the openings I22 and guides I23 may extend over substantially the entire area of the closure I H or may be confined to one quadrant thereof, as shown in Figures 4 and 6.

It is to be understood that the appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents commensurate with the advance made over the prior art.

I claim:

1. A self-contained dispensing can especially suitable for the dispensing of soap and the like, said dispensing can consisting of a hollow cylindrical body adapted to receive and hold a charge of soap, a closure immovably fastened to and sealing one end of said body, a disc closure rotatably mounted on the other end of said body and adapted to be gripped and turned by the hand; said disc closure having an arcuately shaped, tapered slot therein extending from the exactcenter of the disc closure to its periphery with the wider portion of the slot adjacent to the center of said disc closure, and an arcuately shaped, tapered severing element on said disc closure projecting within said body; said tapered severing element having its wider portion adjacent to the center of said disc closure, said severing element including a cutting edge and a wall which constitutes the side wall of said slot over which cut material from a charge in said body is guided to and through the slot.

2. A self-contained dispensing can consisting of a hollow, cylindrical body adapted to receive and hold a charge of soap or the like, a closure immovably fastened to and sealing one end of said body, a disc closure rotatably mounted on the other end of said body and adapted to be turned by the hand; said disc closure having an arcuately shaped, tapered slot therein extending from its center to its periphery with the wider portion thereof at the center of said disc closure, a fin fastened interior-1y of said hollow body to project radially toward the center of the body and extending substantially the entire length thereof, and an arcuate, tapered severing element on said disc closure projecting into said hollow body and having its wider portion adjacent to the center of said disc closure; said severing element including a cutting edge and a wall which constitutes the side wall of said slot over which cut material from a charge in said body is guided to and through the slot upon rotation of said disc closure, said fin constraining the charge against movement during the severing action.

3. In a dispensing can, a disc closure rotatably mounted on one end thereof for turning by the hand; said disc closure having an arcuate tapered slot therein extending from its center to its periphery, said slot being wider adjacent the center of said closure, and an arcuate, tapered cutting element on said disc closure projecting into the can and having its wider portion adjacent to the center of said disc closure; said severing element including a cutting edge and a wall which constitutes the side wall of said slot.

LAURENCE J. STOVEL. 

